Road machine



Nov.'23, 1937. c. A. susTAF-sw ROAD MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 W R. mm w mi, 0 V m@ %A L 2 Q Nov. 23, 1937.

C. A. GUSTAFSON ROAD MACHINE Fi led Feb. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Com. 4 Gus-rn/ swv BY M%' K? ATTOR Y.

Patented Nov. 23, 1937 PATENT OFFICE 2,190,005 Roan momma OarlA. Gustafson, Peoria, 111., assignorto Cater- I pillar Tractor 00., San Leandro, Calif., a corporation of California Application February 5, 1934, Serial No. 709,831

'1 Claim.

The present invention relates to road machines, and more particularly to road graders having an earth-engaging tool adapted to be positioned to make a high-angle cut.

It is an object of the invention to provide a road machine of improved construction which facilitates high-angle cutting operations.

Another object of the invention'is to provide a roadmachine having an improved frame construction and frame suspension, which provide for a wide range of. oscillation for the frame supporting means with respect to the frame .while preventing any twisting of the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved road grader having a frame constructed to provide for great rigidity, while permitting positioning of the blade assembly to a relatively high-angle cutting position to either side of the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved road machine having a frame constructed to promote economy of manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a roadmachine of improved construction pro- I viding an increased range of oscillation of the front wheel assembly with respect to the frame of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a road machine having an improved front end construction, whereby a wide range of oscillation of the front wheel assembly is provided with respect to the frame, while. permitting a simple drive. connection from the frame of the machine to the front wheel tilting mechanism. 5

Other objects will appear as the description progresses.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a road grader constructedaccording to the instant invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views illustrating the frame construction and taken on line 33 and H in Fig. 2, respectively.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the front end construction.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view with certain parts shown in section.

Fig. 6 is asectional view taken on'the line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged 50 portion of Fig. 6.-

Fig. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the high fragmentary view of a angle cutting position of the blade.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modified for or frame construction. 55 Fig. 9 is a partial plan view.

Fig. 10 is a-section taken on the line g 9.

Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view of a third form of the frame construction. The road machine disclosed herein is a grader of the leaning wheel type having an earth-engag ing tool adapted to be positioned to either side of the grader frame to make a high-anglecut. The frame is supported on the front wheel and axle assembly by means of a universal connection 10 which provides a wide range of relative oscillationtherebetween. To prevent twisting of the framewhich would otherwise occur because of this type of connection, the frame is constructedof f tubular members to provide rigidity. As, the 5 necessary rigidity isobtainedby such construction with a narrower frame than hasheretofore been possible, greaterclearance for the tool assembly is provided, so that the tool can be posi- ,tioned to make a high-angle cut.. 20

The frame of the 'machine is substantially symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, and includes tubular side members III, II (Fig. 2) which extend substantially the length of the machine andhave a slight convergence toward the 2 front end. Side members IO, N (Fig.3) are each formed of a channel having a plate or strip welded between the flanges thereof to provide a tubular or box construction. The side-members are Iii-i0 in interconnected by variouscross members topro- 3o vide a rigid and well braced structure.

At thefront end of the machine, bolster i2 (Figs. 2 and 5) is welded between the downwardly bent. front ends of side members 10, ll. Bolster I2 is a casting comprising central transverse tubular 5 portion 13 (Fig. 5') terminating in end flanges l4 rigidly secured by welding to the inner faces of side members my Ii. Transverse flanges [6 -(Fig. 2) extend outwardly from flanges i4 and are welded to the front ends of side members It), 40 l l. Transversely apertured bosses I'l arev provided on bolster I! in front of side members II), II, whereby auxiliary mechanism can beattached to the frame of the machine if so desired. Conventional framework l8 (Fig. 1) is secured to the front end of the frame as asupport for the usual mechanism to: adjust the line of draft, of which mechanism only the parts mounted on the main frame are illustrated. 1

At the rear end of the machine (Figs. 1 and 2), side members Ill, II- are bent downwardly and rearwardly, and brace plate 2| (Figs. 1 and 2) is welded to their bottom faces, At its upper edge, plate 2| is bent outwardly to provide bracing flange 22.. Pairs of angle extensions 26, 21

' sions 26, 21 are braced by cross angle 3| welded thereto. Angle extensions 26, 21 and cross'angle 3| provide a mounting for the rear wheel and axle assembly as described later.

Substantially centrally of the downwardly extending rear ends of side members I 8, I I, vertical angle posts 33, 34 (Figs. 1 and 2) are welded to the inner faces of side members I8, I I, respec-, tively, to provide a support for a. portion of the blade lifting mechanism as described later. Posts 33, 34am braced adjacent the top by longitudinal angles 31, 38welded thereto, and extending forwardly and being welded to the inner faces of side members I8, I I. Cross member 39 braces side members I8, II intermediate the ends of angles 31, 38. 4

' In'the central portion of the machine above the blades (Fig's. 1. and 2), the ends of spaced -apart angles 43, 44 are welded to the top faces of respective side members I8, II, the connection therebetween being reenforced by a.ngles,45, 46

welded thereto. In addition to reenforcing the.

framework, cross angles 43, 44 support a part of the blade lifting mechanism, as described here after. Immediately below angles 43, 44 (Figs. 1 and 4), a pair of spaced-apart angles 41,48 are welded to the bottom faces of side members I8, II and to angles 31, 38; and the central web of T-bar 49 is welded therebetween. Angles 41,

48, and T-bar 49 support the center shift mech- Y anism, as later described.

lar cross member 5| (Figs. 2 and 3) of box con struction is welded between side members I8, II; the connection being reenforced at the top and .bottom by respective braces 52, 53 welded to side members I 8, II and cross member Cross member 5| braces the frame and also serves to mount auxiliary mechanism such as a scarifier, for example.

From the foregoing description it is seen that a rigid tubular beam frame construction is provided inwhich the essential parts are connected by welding. Because of the tubular construction of the side members, the over-all width of the frame, Particularly at the front, can be reduced while retaining the same rigidity which would be obtained by a wider frame construction. This construction not only lends itself to economy of manufacture, but also provides for a great range of high-angle cutting positions of the blade, as pointed out in greater detail hereinafter. Further, the rigid frame construction permits the use of a universal connection betweenthe frame and the front wheel and axle assembly as dewhich comprise the front axle.

. in both a. vertical and horizon a1 plane, with respect to" the frame, a universa connection is portion 14 of kingbolt 16.

held in engagement with the socket portion 13 of casting 12, by retaining collar or cap 11 secured to flange 18 of casting 12 by a plurality of bolts 19. Kingbol t 16 extends upwardly from ball portion 14 and is secured in bosses 8|, 82 of bolster I2; shoulder 83 being provided thereon to engage the bottom of boss 8|. Boss 8| has slot 84 to provide, with bolt 86 and apertured bosses 81 on opposite sides of slot 84, means for clamping kingbolt 16 in position. As shown in Fig. 5, the clearance between collar 11 and the bottom of boss 8| of bolster I2 permits relative oscillation through an angle of substantially 38 degrees.

To operate the tilting mechanism for the front wheels, a drive connection is provided through the kingbolt. As described above, the wheels are tilted relative to axle 61 by reciprocation of bar 68. Bar 68 is operated through arcuate rack 9| thereon (Fig. 1). by pinion 92 on, shaft 93 which is suitably journaled. in housing 94. Shaft 93 (Fig. 5) is operated through worm gear 96, and worm 91 (Figs. 5 and 6) integral with vertical shaft 98: The upper squared end of shaft 98 (Fig. 6) has telescopic driving engagement with connection or sleeve 99 which is similarly engaged with the lower squared end of shaft I8I which extends upwardly through apertures in channel 1| and casting 12 to space I82 within hollow ball Within space I82, shaft I8I has universal connection I86 with shaft I81; said universal connection I86 having its center coinciding with the center of movement of the ball and socket connection. Shaft I81 extends through kingbolt 16 and bolster I2 to housing I88 suitably mounted on the bolster. Within housing I88, shaft I81 has bevel gear connection I89 with shaft III extending without said housing and having universal connection I I2 (Fig. 1) with telescopic shaft 3 extending rearwardly and operated through a suitable gear connection from handle II4. v

Thus, the frame of the machine has a universal connectionwith the front wheel and axle assem- Sealing means are provided for preventing the entry of deleterious matter within space I82;

said sealing means (Fig. 7) comprising sealing ring II6 of suitable material having a portion :urged into sealing engagementwith shaft I8I 12 and engages a suitable aperture in collar .11.

Draft P le I2I is adjustable angularly with rewith respect to the frame of .the machine, and I which provides for tilting movement of the rear wheels with respect to the frame. Rear Wheels I3I (Figs. -1 and 8) are journaled on spindles integral with bell-cranks I32 pivoted in the ends of rear axle I33, and having their upper ends pivotally connected to shift bar I34. Axle I33 includes opposite angles I36 which are engaged by suitable guide means (not shown) to control lateral movement of axle I33 with respect to angle extensions 26, 21; any suitable conventional means being provided to accomplish transverse shifting thereof. Shift bar I34 is operated similarly to shift bar 68 of the front wheel and axle assembly by gearing .in housing I31, through shaft I38, which is provided with suitable operating means. For a more detailed description of the rear axle construction, reference is hereby made to my co-pending application, Serial No. 533,179, filed April 27, 1931.

The earth-engaging tool comprises a conventional blade which is mounted for vertical, trans-- verse and angular adjustment. Blade II. (Fig. 1) is adjustably mounted on circle I52 which is rear cross barl54 (Figs. 1 and 8) is pivotally connected to the lower end of center shift link I 8| having its upper end pivotally connected to lateral shiftable rack I82 slidable on T-bar 48. Rack I82 is operated from the operators station through suitable means including gear I83 (Fig..

1) meshed therewith. In addition to accomplishing lateral, shifting of the blade, center shift link I8I serves to maintain the blade in any laterally displaced position thereof.

For a more complete description of the adjustmg mechanisms for the earth-engaging tool reference is hereby made to my above-noted application. 1

By virtue of the above-described adjusting mechanisms, blade I5I can be adjusted to high-.

angle. cutting position, as illustrated in Fig. 8.

As Viewed in Fig. 8, left-hand lift link I61 is ad- 'justed, to its shortest length, while right-hand lift link I61 is extended and the associated lift arms I69 are rotated to their furthest clockwise positions. Center shift link I 8| is connected to the left end of rack I82 and to the right end of bar I54, being substantially parallel with said bar; As indicated in Fig. 8, blade I5I is positioned at an angle of substantially 65 degrees with 'resupported rotatably in a circle-carrying frame comprising forwardly converging drawbars I53 connected at their rear ends by cross bar I54. Only one of said drawbars I53 is seen in Fig. 1. Drawbars I53 (Figs. 1 and 6) converge at their front ends to connection I56 in which the rear end of eye-bolt I51 is pivotally received. The

apertured end of eye-bolt I51 engages draft pin I58, which is pivoted in vertically spaced apertured ears I50 of bolster I2. Thus, a draft connection having a universal front connection, is provided from the front of the frame to the earth-engaging tool.

To accomplish angular adjustment of the blade with respect to the line of draft, circle I52 (Fig. 1) is rotated in the circle-carrying frame by .conventional' means including gearing in housin I6I operated by telescopic shaft- I62. Shaft I62 is operated in any suitable manner by means (not shown) located at the operators station.

To accomplish vertical adjustment of the blade and angular adjustment thereof about a longitudinal axis, similar lift mechanisms of conventional design are connected to the opposite ends of rear cross bar I54 of the circle-carrying frame, and only one of said lift mechanisms will be described in detail. The right end of cross bar I54 (Fig. 1) has universal connection I66 with telescopically adjustable lift link I61, having universal connection I68 at its upper end with lift arm I69 (Figs. land 4) on the front end of lift shaft I1l. Lift shaft I1I (Figs. 1, 2, and 4) is journaled in bracket I12 welded betweencross angles 43, 44, and said shaft I1I extends rearwardly (Fig. 1) to housing-I13 on post 84. Said shaft "I is operated by suitable gearing in housi'ng I13 from hand wheel I14. The lift mechanism for the left end of the blade is similarly constructed.

By operating both lift mechanisms simultaneously in the same direction, the blade can be raised or lowered, and by operating said mechanisms in opposite directions, the blade can be adjusted angularly about a longitudinal axis.

To accomplish-lateral shifting of the blade.

' frame with the spect to the horizontal.

The maximum high-angle cutting position is limited by engagement of. the circle-carrying main frame. Because of the provision of tubular or box side members, the main frame can be made narrower while having theinecessaryrigidity against twisting action. Asglthe main frame is narrower, the maximum high-angle cutting position of the blade is increased and the blade is provided with a greater range of high-angle cutting positions.

Figs. '9 and 10 illustrate a second form of'the invention in whichthe. frame of the machine is providedwith tubular side members in the form of p pes. Pipe members 20I, 202 are formed similarly to side members I0, II, illustrated in Figs: 1-8, and are connected at their front ends a by bolster 203, having transverse tubular portion 204 and longitudinal pipe portions 206 fitting over the ends of pipe members 20I, 202, and welded thereto at'201. At the front of pipe portions 206, transverselyapertured bosses 208 are provided for attaching auxiliary mechanism.

Intermediate their ends, pipemembers 20I, 202 are connected bytransverse pipe member 2| I, having its ends welded thereto at 2I2. Brackets 2I3 are welded to the top of transverse pipe member 2 (Figs.'9 and 10) to provide a mounting for the lift arms. To provide a mounting for lateral shifting mechanism, bracket 2I6 (Fig. 10) is welded to the bottom side of transverse member 2I I, the upper portion of bracket 2l6 being formed as a segmentof a cylinder to fit pipe member 2II-, and the bottom portion thereof being in the form of a T-bar to receive a laterally shiftable rack similar to rack I82 illustrated in the first modification. Between bolster tudinally disposed angles 223, and transverse.

plate 224,'all of which are joined by welding. The rear ends of pipe members 20I, 202 are not illustrated but are constructed and connected similarly to the rear end construction illustrated in Figs. l-8. The frame'construction described above provides for a relativelynz'a'rrow yet rigid frame construction having the advantages pointed out'- in describing the modification shown Figs. 1-8.

Fig 11 illustrates a third form of the invention, and discloses a frame construction which is suitable for use with elevating graders. The frame construction is generally A-shaped, and comprises opposite side members 23!, 282, having a 'box constructionsimiiar to side members III, Ii.

structures which can be economically manufactured and assembled.

Side

I, therefore, claim as my invention: 7

In a road machine, a frame, an axle, a socket member supported by said axle, a kingbolt secured to said frame and having a hollow ball portion engaging said socket member and forming with said socket member an enclosed connection receiving space, adjustable means on said axle, and an adJusting connection for said ad- Justable means extending through said connection receiving space, said connection including a universal connection having its pivotal center substantially concentric with the pivotal center of movement between said ball portion and said socket member, the coincidence of said centers enabling operation of said adjustable means in any relative angular position of said frame and said axle.

CARL A. aUs'rArson. 

